Hi there! I’m Nicole, an alcohol-free writer living in the Midwest - Welcome to The Recovery Cat Blog. 😽

Non-alcoholic beverages and booze-free establishments are essential pillars of the NA industry and community. Non-alc culture has easily become one of my favorite perks of alcohol-free living.

Sam Bail, founder of the Third Place Bar in NYC, introduced me via ‘Sober IG’ to the idea of a “third place,” which was “first coined by the sociologist Ray Oldenburg to describe those places, outside of work or home, that foster social connections.” I would also check out Sam’s take on Medium Fun if I were you.

I love the idea of a third place and feel like I had plenty of them until I quit drinking.

Not everyone living alcohol-free struggles with feelings of isolation or social anxiety, but many of us, myself included, do fight through those things.

Spaces with alcohol feel different once you’re not drinking, and spaces without it, or not centering it, are limited.

This is why I’m sharing some benefits non-alcoholic bottle shops bring to their communities and beyond. Feel free to save this as a part of your pitch for opening an NA space or send it to an NA shop you love. 😉

Not Entering the Liquor Aisle

A true specialty experience. Most larger chain retailers will put the non-alcoholic section, if there is one, near the booze. In my local Target, for example, the NA products are in the same aisle and on the same shelves as the wine and liquor. This positioning generally adds slight anxiety to my experience, but that’s just me. I’d rather have to walk in that aisle to get the products than there not be any at all. I was absolutely thrilled to see Target begin stocking more adult alcohol-free beverages, but I immediately thought of how that (and Amazon) impacts the small shops I love.

Asking Questions

In an NA bottle shop, you’ll often find the founders behind the counter or a knowledgeable, passionate staff member. Those working in these rare shops are used to answering questions and chatting about AF drinks. You might even get personal recommendations! This is something you likely aren’t going to find in a massive retail location selling hundreds of product categories - everything from dish soap to leggings. The niche experience allows for more time and consideration when choosing items.

The Variety

No doubt about it, if you’re looking for a “browsing” experience, a non-alcoholic bottle shop is worth the drive. Even though booze-free products are more widely available now than five or ten years ago, you will still find the most variety with a specialty retailer, by far.

An NA shop will have all or most categories, new categories, and variety within those categories. Inmoxicated, a bar and retailer near myself in Wisconsin, carries 35+ NA beer options - which is a lot considering I hardly ever see more than two NA beers on a drink menu! The variety also makes it easier to stock up, meaning you’ll run out less often and always have the bevs you want at home.

Sense of Community

As a non-drinker in the Midwest, I have struggled with feeling isolated and faced difficulty connecting with those around me. Now, this isn’t 100% of my experience, but it does complicate my social life at times.

Non-alcoholic bottle shops serve not only as your go-to source for drinks but also as a community hub. Many often hold gatherings for the sober, sober-curious, or AF-inclined such as cocktail classes, social hours, karaoke, live music, and more, bringing like-minded people together.

For example…

Bendición in Chicago does a “Sober(ish) Book Club” in person and on Zoom.

Marigold in Minnesota did a fun cheese and beverage pairing with local products.

Gem in New Jersey did a “conscious cocktails and candle making” event.

NA bottle shops, in my opinion, have the opportunity to lead the way in de-centering alcohol from socializing and be an important example of life without booze.

Samples

One of the most common updates you’ll see NA bottle shops posting on social media - tasting announcements! You might even get lucky enough to meet the beverage founder right there in-store. Whether you’re attending a tasting event or just stopping in, there is more opportunity to “try before you buy” at specialty retailers. For locations that operate as both a bar and bottle shop, you can check out the menu to see how they’re using the products or order a drink to try something you’re curious about before purchasing a whole bottle or a case of it.

Supporting Local

As Tawny Laura, author, and beverage founder, says, “Indie NA drinks and indie bottle shops/pop-ups are the heart and soul of the NA drink industry.” These establishments support a variety of needs within a single community or even statewide. Non-alcoholic bottle shop entrepreneurs are building the necessary space for the ever-growing sober-curious movement.

Unique Offerings

Innovators like Generation NA are known for having NA beer on draft (and frozen adaptogenic slushies too), changing the way non-alcoholic drinks are served. I have also seen a range of items for sale in NA bottle shops - from jewelry to books to glassware and beyond. In addition to the variety of beverages, specialty shops often carry great local finds, “lifestyle” items, thoughtful gift options - you name it.

Thanks for reading!

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Find NA Bottle Shops - Zero Proof Nation